Buckle



W. M. GRIFFIN Nov. 12,Y 1935.

BUCKLE Filed March 25, 1933 zveezar;

@M .AM

JIM.

Patented Nov.. 12, 1935 PATENT OFFICE l BUCKLE William M. Griffin, Fort Wayne, Ind., assigner to Parval Products Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application March 25, 1933, Serial No. 662,704

4 Claims.

This invention relates to a buckle and has specialV reference to a one-piece buckle formed of wire for use in the vsupporting of garments,

and the like.

More particularly, this invention relates to a one-piece buckle formed of a single continuous wire so constructed that a strap or the like for engaging a portion of the frame of the buckle will act. to prevent accidental displacement of a button engaging another portion of the frame of the buckle. The arrangement of the strap engaging portion is preferably such as to eiect a transverse distortion of the strap against the direction of pull when tension is applied thereto to prevent slippage of the strap relatively to the buckle.

The device has been shown in the drawing in connection with -a strap, which latter may be the shoulder strap of an overall to be detachably connected with a button or like device on the'front bib of the overall or other garment. An efficient and practical article is hereby contemplated that may be produced at a minimum cost. Applicant contemplates specifically the formation of an intermediate portion of a single continuous wire into an outer substantially rectangular frame, the end portions of the wire overlapping and either being fixedly secured together or slidably held in an abutting relation along a portion of the length of the wire, whereafter the remaining lengths thereof form cross-bars spaced from the outer frame and connected to one side thereof to define transverse slots for receiving the strap. The cross-bars intermediate the frame of the buckle likewise occupy a spaced relation therebetween to deiine a transverse slot. p

A looped portion is provided on the lower side of the frame and preferably opens into Yone of the lower transverse slots,y the loop being engaged by a button and the adjacent cross-bar .being provided preferably with spaced offset portions for engaging the line of fold of the strap threaded through the transverse slots to substantially close said loop and toeffect a distortion of the strap against the direction of pull when the buckle is in use to prevent relative slippage therebetween. When the overlapping portions are slidable relatively to each other and the ends of the intermediate bars are movably secured to the side of the Vframe there is a further means obtained for preventing relative slippage between the strap and the buckle by reason of the intermediate bars being moved together to grip the strap threaded through the intermediate transverse slot.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a buckle of the character above noted which is simple in construction, comparatively inexpensive to manufacture, and efficient in operation.

Another object of this invention is to provide a buckleof the type above pointed out which may 5 be formed of a single continuous length of wire in which a portion thereof overlaps to form one side of the frame.

Other objects and advantages will hereinafter be more particularly pointed out and for a more complete understanding of the characteristic features of this invention, reference may now be had to the following description when taken together with the accompanying drawing, in which latter:

Figure l is a face view of a buckle constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the device shown in Figure 1; l

Fig. 3 is a fragmental face view of a buckle having a modified form Yof connection at the overlapping portion;

Fig. 4 is a partial end elevational view of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a partial end elevational view of a modified form of overlapping portion for the buckle;

Fig. '7 is a face View of a buckle similar to Figure 1 showing a slidable overlapping portion in contradistinction to the fixed overlapping portion of Figure 1 and showing in addition a strap threaded through the slots of the buckle;

Fig. 8 is a View similar to Fig. 7 showing a changed position thereof;

Fig. 9 is a central vertical sectional View taken on the line 9 9 of Fig. 7; and

Fig. l0 is a view similar to Fig. 9 taken on the line lD-I of Fig. 8.

Referring now to the drawing and more particularly to Figs. l and 2 thereof, the buckle is shown as comprising a frame designated in its entirety by the numeral i5. The frame is preferably substantially rectangular in shape and comprises a single continuous wire, the portion intermediate the ends of which comprise the outer frame of the buckle and the end portions of which comprise crossbars intersecting the frame member and dividing the'same into transverse slots.

Anintermediate portion ofthe wire forms a side i6 of the frame, an adjacent portion of the wirev being bent therefrom at substantially right angles thereto to form an upper side' ll and the other adjacent portion of the side l5 being bent at substantially right angles thereto to Vform a 55,

lower side I8. A continuation of the upper and lower sides I9 and 2E?, respectively, 'are bent toward and overlap each other and are thereafter bent inwardly into the frame to form intermediate bars 2l and 22, respectively. The intermediate bars are spaced from each other and are further disposed at a spaced distance from the upper and bottom sides to be connected at the side portion l5. The connection between the intermediate bars 2| and 22 and the side bar lf3 of the frame may be formed by clamping the ends of the wire about the side, as is shown at 23, or by means of welding, soldering, or in any suitable manner. Y

The intermediate bars 2l and 22 being spaced from the upper and lower sides of the frame members and being spaced relatively to each other, form upper, lower and intermediate slots 24, 25, and 26, respectively, for receiving the strap as it is threaded in the manner hereinafter recited. The portions of the wires is and 2d cross or overlap each other, as above stated and the overlapping portions thereof may be cut away as shown more particularly in Fig. 2 so that the thickness of the frame may be substantially uniform throughout. Further, the cutaway portions may be soldered, welded or otherwise connected together in order to maintain the slots at a predetermined distance, it being noted that the ends 23 are likewise l'ixedly secured to the side i6.

lThe cross bar 2i is preferably provided with a pair of spaced offset portions 2l? and 2S, which latter form a depression 29 therebetween, the latter being opposite an opening into a loop 3d formed preferably integrally with the lower side bar i8 of the frame. The lower transverse slot 25, preferably having the loop 36 opening thereinto is therefore relatively wide at that portion to permit the passage of a button therethrough, although, as will be hereinafter more particularly pointed out, when associated with the strap, will act to prevent accidental engagement of the button from the loop.

In threading the strap through the buckle, the former is passed downwardly to the rear of the upper side Il of the frame and then forwardly through the slot 243 over the bars 22 and 2l and rearwardly through the transverse slot 25. The strap is then passed upwardly and forwardly through the transverse slot 25 over the bar 22 and then rearwardly and upwardly through the transverse slot 24, the free end of the strap being disposed in the rear of the body portion of the strap and thus behind the buckle. The threading thus far recited is shown more particularly in Fig. 9 of the drawing.

It will be noted that when the strap is thus threadedly engaged with the buckle, the line of fold of the strap is positioned adjacent the opening in the loop 3E) and thus substantially closes the opening since the head of a button should be greater than the diameter of the loop. The orifset portions 2l and 28 engage the strap at the line of fold thereof so that a relative pull between the strap and buckle is exerted on the strap and buckle at the portion of engagement of the offset of the bar 2l with the strap. This arrangement of the strap relatively to the buckle effects a transverse distortion of the strap against the direction of pull when the buckle is under tension so as to prevent slippage of the strap relatively to the buckle.

In so long as there is a relative pull or tension between the strap and the button, the shank of the button will remain in the lower end of the opening of the loop 3). If, however, this tension should be relieved and the button should slip upwardly in the loop, then it can not become accidentally disengaged from the buckle owing to the strap extending across the raised offset portions 21 and 28, which latter together with the strap substantially close the opening into the loop. When, however, it is desired to disengage the button from the loop the button may be tilted to engage the folded portion of the strap forcing the same into the recess 29 and thus allowing the passage of the button through the slot by reason of the resiliency of the material of the strap. The strap, therefore, stretched across the oifset portions constitutes a means for yieldably maintaining the button in engagement with the loop and it becomes necessary to displace the adjacent folded portion of the strap to effect disengagement of the button from the loop with the result that the folded portion of the strap constitutes in effect a resilient or compressible cushion for maintaining the button in engaged position.

The bar 2| having the recessed portion 29 therein conforms substantially to the curvature of the edge of the button adapted to be engaged in the buckle loop and as the folded portion of the strap is forced into the recessed portion there is sufficient clearance to permit the passage of the button rearwardly through the slot 25 and thus to disengaged position. By reason further of the offset portions engaging the line of fold of the strap, the side edges of the strap are prevented from slipping inwardly toward the'center of the bar 2l and thus the strap is held under tension between the offset portions 21 and 28.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 3 to 5 of the drawing, the same mechanical construction is shown as in Figs. 1 and 2, with the exception that instead of the overlapping cutaway portions being welded, soldered or otherwise secured together these overlapping portions are secured together by means of a band 3| preferably of metal. In these figures, the same reference characters have been applied as in the previously described figures so as to avoid unnecessary duplication of description. The band 3| is formed of a strip of metal and is wrapped around the overlapping portions I9 and 20 of the wire, the ends of the band meeting and either being soldered or welded together or being free to depend upon the rigidity of the material to hold the overlapping portions in a securely engaged position.

It is not, however, essential that the overlapo v shown therein is similar to that construction shown in Fig. 1 with the exception that instead of the ears 23 surrounding the side bar I6 of the frame in a fixed relation, the bars are movable relatively thereto. Further, the overlapping cut away portions are likewise movable relatively to each other. The strap of the garment to be supported is threaded in the same manner as previousIy recited with reference to Fig. 1. The strap threaded in this manner engages the buckle at its line of fold, the fold being positioned adjacent the opening into the loop 30 to substantially close the opening since the head of the button should be substantially greater than the diameter of the loop, the shank of the button engaging the loop. When a tension is had on the strap a transverse distortion of the strap is had against the direction of pull and the shank of the button seats in the loop in the same manner as above described. Further, should this relative pull be relieved and the button should slip upwardly in the loop, it will be noted that it can not become disengaged from the buckle.

However, beside the substantial friction caused by the distortion of the strap, as above recited,

a further frictional resistance against slippage between the strap and the buckle is occasioned by reason of the fact that the cross-bars 2i and 22 have movement relatively to each other and a tension of the strap would move the bars together, as shown more particularly in Figs. 8 and 9 so that a gripping action would be had on the' strap portion therebetween. Therefore, not only is a substantial friction developed by reason of the offset portions distorting the strap upon tension being applied thereto, but further, such tension moves the bars together to exert a gripping of the strap portion to augment the friction vdeveloped by the distortion of the strap over the projections.

While several embodiments of this invention are herein shown and described, it is to be understood that various modications thereof may be apparent tothose skilled in the art without departing from the spirit. and scope of this invention and, therefore, the same are only to be limited by the sco-pe of the prior art and the appended claims.

Iclaim:

1. A buckle of the character described for association with a iexible strap comprising a single continuous wire formed to define a frame having an intermediate portion forming one side of said frame with adjacent portions thereof extending therefrom to form upper and lower bars of said frame, the end portions of said wire extending of said frame to form intermediate movable bars` dividing said frame into upper, lower and intermediate slots for receiving a strap threaded therethrough, said intermediate movable bars coacting to clamp said strap when tension is applied thereto.

2. A buckle of the character described for association with a flexible strap comprising a single continuous wireformed to define a frame having an intermediate portion forming one side of said frame with adjacent portions thereof extending therefrom to form upper and lower bars of said frame, the end portions of said wire extending from said upper and lower bars and overlapping for a portion of the length thereof to form the other side of the frame and passing into said frame and slidably connected with said rst side of said frame to form intermediate movable bars dividing said frame into upper, lower and intermediate slots for receiving a strap threaded therethrough, said intermediate movable bars ooacting to clamp said strap when tension is applied thereto, said lower bar having an outwardly extending loop opening into said lower slot for retaining a button.

3. A buckle of the character described for association with a flexible strap comprising a single continuous wire formed to denne a frame having an intermediate portion forming one side of said frame with adjacent portions thereof extending therefrom to form upper and lower bars of said frame, the end portions of said wire ex- 'tending from said upper and lower bars and overlapping for a portion of the length thereof into said frame and connected to the first side of the frame to form intermediate bars dividing said frame into upper, lower and intermediate slots, said lower bar having an outwardly extending loop opening into said lower slot for retaining a button, and the lower of said intermediate bars having spaced offset portions extending in the direction of said lower slot for engagement with the strap to substantially close said loop to prevent accidental displacement of said button therefrom unless manually forced and to provide a transverse distortion of said strap against the direction of pull, together with a gripping action between said intermediate bars.

fi. A buckle of the character described for association with a flexible strap comprising a single continuous wire formed to define a, substantially rectangular frame having upper, lower and side bars, and intermediate bars extending between said upper and lower bars for providing upper, lower and intermediate slots for receiving said strap threaded therethrough, said wire having overlapping cut-away portions to maintain a uniform thickness of said frame and being slidable along said cut-away portions, said lower bar having'an outwardly extending loop for retaining a button and said slidable movement providing a gripping action between said intermediate bars.

WILLIAM M. GRIFFIN. 

